Controlling soil erosion and improving soil conditions in field tree and hedging nursery stock production

This factsheet summarises a case study undertaken at Wyevale Nurseries on improving soil conditions for nursery stock production.  Some of the key points from the study include: 

• Soil loss from fields was reduced by establishing wide grass margins, filter barriers and sediment ponds at the base of slopes
• Re-orientating rows across the slope and reducing slope length by establishing in-field grass buffer strips reduced soil loss, although these measures can impact on the efficiency of operations
• Building soil organic matter can increase the soil’s resistance to erosion and compaction 
• Subsoiling was ineffective at improving soil conditions

The information was updated in 2019.